CHICAGO, IL (March 11, 2011) – Chile Covenant Church leaders are paying special attention to the tsunami speeding its way across the Pacific Ocean because it most likely would strike near the community of Tome, where a giant wave killed 700 people in February 2010.
“We are staying in close contact with the people there,” said Byron Amundsen, director of administration and finance for the Department of World Mission of the Evangelical Covenant Church.
An 8.8-magnitude earthquake in Chile spawned the tsunami in 2010. Because of that experience, people living along the coast from Mexico to Chile are hauling in boats, closing some schools and preparing to evacuate.
Residents of Tome already were reminded of last year’s disaster when a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck near the same place last month. Although residents were frightened no one was injured.
